Ontario Partners with Catholic Family Services on Community-Based Poverty Solutions in Peel

Ontario is supporting Catholic Family Services of Peel-Dufferin to give at-risk youth practical culinary skills and experience to succeed in the food service sector.

Through the Local Poverty Reduction Fund, Ontario is investing up to $628,400 over three years, to help Catholic Family Services strengthen and evaluate its Culinary Training for Youth initiative. The program provides at-risk youth, interested in the culinary sector with food service skills, work placements and a range of related supports to put them on track to building secure and fulfilling careers.

Evidence gathered from this project and others will be used to support poverty reduction programs across the province that have been proven to work and that can expand over time.

Fighting poverty is part of the government's plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan.

Quick Facts

The Local Poverty Reduction Fund is a $50-million, six-year initiative that supports community-driven projects which measurably improve the lives of those disproportionately affected by poverty, including: women, single parents, people with disabilities, youth, newcomers, visible minorities, seniors and Aboriginal peoples.

Organizations have two more opportunities to apply for funding in 2016 and 2017.

Additional Resources

Quotes

“With this funding Catholic Family Services of Peel-Dufferin will be able to evaluate its service delivery model and help us learn more about what approaches are making a difference for at-risk youth in communities across Ontario.”

Deputy Premier, President of the Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy

“Catholic Family Services of Peel-Dufferin has grown to be an effective community hub over the past 34 years and I am pleased that our government is working with this organization to fund a program that connects at-risk youth to the skills and training they need to find meaningful employment.”

“We are honoured to be partners with the Government of Ontario in their fight against poverty. This funding will allow us to invest in our youth by providing opportunities to acquire skills and work experience, setting them on a path to fulfilling careers. We are looking forward to evaluating the results of this project.”